A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has released its final assessment of Ghana’s 2024 general elections, affirming the process as transparent, credible, and peaceful while urging improvements in electoral transparency and accountability.
The election, which saw John Dramani Mahama elected as Ghana’s 14th president, was observed by a 16-member independent team led by the former President of Botswana, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi.
The group was deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC.
In her remarks on the report, Secretary-General Scotland commended Ghana’s democratic progress, stating, “Ghana’s peaceful and credible elections are a testament to the country’s maturing democracy. The Commonwealth Observer Group has made a detailed assessment of the election, noting areas of significant strength and identifying opportunities for improvement, including the need for enhanced transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the electoral process.”
She further encouraged Ghana’s institutions to adopt the group’s recommendations and lauded the Ghanaian people for their commitment to democracy.
The report highlighted the professionalism of polling officials, security agencies, and party agents, as well as the calm atmosphere maintained throughout the elections.
It also praised Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for his early concession, which demonstrated statesmanship and helped to ease post-election tensions.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) was commended for implementing measures such as additional polling stations and temporary polling staff to improve the voting experience, reducing long queues and speeding up the process.
However, the report reiterated previous recommendations on the need for a robust regulatory framework for campaign financing.
It warned that without such measures, the increasing monetisation of politics could undermine Ghana’s democratic integrity.
Observers also noted that delays in announcing results from certain constituencies created uncertainty and speculation. The report urged the EC to address this challenge in future elections to further strengthen public confidence in the process.
The final report, which builds on the interim statement released shortly after the elections, has been distributed to the Ghanaian government, political parties, the EC, and other stakeholders for review and implementation.
